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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Travel devider Why Benguet's nature is worth exploring

Why Benguet's nature is worth exploring

A journey through lush greenery and beautiful horizons at two of the province's environmental tourism spots

Published May 21, 2026 11:15 pm

At A Glance

  • These areas show the type of respect nature deserves that Manila can one day hopefully understand.
A GLIMPSE OF PARADISE Mt. Camisong's picture-perfect trails are fun to traverse and marvel over nature. (Photos: Poch Eulalia | Manila Bulletin Lifestyle)
A GLIMPSE OF PARADISE Mt. Camisong's picture-perfect trails are fun to traverse and marvel over nature. (Photos: Poch Eulalia | Manila Bulletin Lifestyle)
While the city chops down trees for expressways, Benguet knows nature’s true worth.
During Manila Bulletin Lifestyle’s recent visit to Baguio City for the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines’ Regional Travel Fair, we found ourselves sneaking off to various locations to witness the beautiful locations being featured. Two destinations, Mt. Camisong Forest Park and Mt. Costa, are about an hour’s drive away from Baguio City. For those coming from Manila that already spent four to five hours heading north, it might seem a bit of a stretch already to trail even further. Yet, we promise you that the trip is very much worth it.
STAMP YOUR PROGRESS There are six areas to seek out in order to complete your stamping journey
STAMP YOUR PROGRESS There are six areas to seek out in order to complete your stamping journey
BRING NATURE HOME After walking through the stops, a souvenir store allows you to bring home plants to care after
BRING NATURE HOME After walking through the stops, a souvenir store allows you to bring home plants to care after
DON'T LOOK DOWN A major highlight is the photo deck where the floor is made of transparent glass, giving a glance of what lies below
DON'T LOOK DOWN A major highlight is the photo deck where the floor is made of transparent glass, giving a glance of what lies below
Our adventure begins at the Mt. Camisong Forest Park. Its main draw is the Alapaap viewing deck, a thrilling photo spot that shows the full beauty of the area. Just don’t look down, as the floor has transparent glass that lets visitors see just how far of a drop it is. For those with a fear of heights, there are still other picture-perfect locations throughout to have your shots taken. There’s also an incentive to venture further out, as you get to collect stamps from various stops. Family members can enjoy the multiple recreational activities, like tic-tac-toe boards and large Jenga blocks on display throughout. Once you’ve circled around, you can bring home a piece of nature by purchasing some plants at the gift shop or buying treats and artisan crafts from the nearby souvenir stalls. If the walking around left you hungry, the Alapaap restaurant run by Chef Stanley Suva offers fun, delectable dishes to recharge yourself.
NATURE SLEEPS A giant sculpture of a sleeping woman feels reminiscent of Mother Nature taking a rest
NATURE SLEEPS A giant sculpture of a sleeping woman feels reminiscent of Mother Nature taking a rest
GARDEN OF THE GODS Incan-inspired plant formations create giant imagery on the ground
GARDEN OF THE GODS Incan-inspired plant formations create giant imagery on the ground
LOST IN THE MAZE A floral maze lets travelers play in the gardens as they find their way
LOST IN THE MAZE A floral maze lets travelers play in the gardens as they find their way
ALWAYS WATCHING Look to the trees and you might find some staring right back
ALWAYS WATCHING Look to the trees and you might find some staring right back
WATCH THE FACES Mt, Costa's playful environments create a whimsical atmosphere worth exploring
WATCH THE FACES Mt, Costa's playful environments create a whimsical atmosphere worth exploring
On the other side of Benguet, another trail worth visiting is Mt. Costa. While Mt. Camisong gives off picnic vibes and family strolls, Mt. Costa feels perfect for smaller groups and couples to enjoy. As you walk through the pathways, you’ll encounter the spirits of the forest almost coming to life through the creative installations throughout. Gardens are planted to form imagery of ancient gods. In some areas, you’ll find the trees are staring right back at you with their makeshift faces. A highlight photo spot of the trip is the giant rock statue of a woman sleeping in the field, with the moss and greenery acting as her dress and hair. There is also a floral maze, an interactive musical play area, and an outdoor house of mirrors for visitors to play around in and take photos. There’s a coffee and ice cream snack area to fill yourself up after walking around. We absolutely enjoyed the turon topped with ube ice cream.
What both these wonderful locations have in common is their utmost respect for the nature surrounding them. Even in the creation of these areas, they took care not to damage the land. Sustainable practices are also observed to ensure nothing goes to waste. These areas show the type of respect nature deserves that Manila can one day hopefully understand. When visiting these places, we learn that nature is what lets us thrive and enjoy a wonderful life, not expressways and large-scale malls.

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